Deepak Dhavalikar expands business, but keeps political connect

SANJAY BORKAR rPONDAr rDhavalikar may have been defeated in the Assembly elections, but he is closely in contact with the people while also pursuing his business activities. rIf he is not available at residence, people move to his office with their issues, grievances and to even invite him as chief guest at a function. rAs many as 36 staff of Dhavalikar are still involved in Priol constituency to provide service to the public and to pursue the government schemes on their behalf. “My supporters and staff are still working to help people. But I have taken a short break and will resume my political activities after Ganesh Chaturti,” he said. r“I have not applied full brakes and let the new MLA also do some work for Priol constituency. The MGP will never leave the constituency. I am deeply observing the political activities and I would like to take up new issues of relevance by scrapping old ones,” said Dhavalikar. rBut being out of full-time politics has enable the businessman-turned-politician Deepak Dhavalikar, who first won in 2007 from Priol constituency and served for two terms, to focus on his business interests. r“After my defeat, I decided to expand my business. Since the last 30 years, I have been in real estate business and in addition, I am a distributor for Parle biscuits, Society Tea and oil lubricants. I have also added the distribution of ‘Basmati’ rice. My son Viraj, who has done an MBA, also helps me in the business activities.” rThough he faced defeat in the polls, Dhavalikar insisted he was not discouraged. r“I got defeated because many forces worked against me, but I am not discouraged. Even though I’m not in power, I am content, as I was never hungry for power,” said Dhavalikar. “The MGP is the oldest regional party in Goa. We need to remove the popular notion that this party is from Maharashtra. This is purely a Goan party,” the former minister said. rAsked if he continued to wield some influence with his brother, Sudin Dhavalikar as minister, Dhavalikar replied: I don’t seek any favours from him. I respect all government officers and they, in turn, respect me. Hence, I don’t need anyone’s favour to do my work.” rDamodar Naik, Veling-Priol panch member and support of the former Priol MLA, said praised Dhavalikar for the development works. r“He also helped students in the education field and helped people build their houses. I feel he may have been defeated as people were expecting too much from him and he was unable to deliver on their expectations,” said Naik. rHowever, Sarvendra Gaonkar of Betki-Priol felt that while Dhavalikar delivered during his first term, he later sidelined people in his constituency. “He may have had plans to shift to another constituency and so, he didn’t pay heed to publis demands and development work in Priol. He did not work for public but for ‘individual persons’. Hence, people felt the need for a change in Priol constituency,” reasoned Gaonkar.